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Dayton Gets Bizarre!

The Downtown Dayton Partnership is taking their monthly “First Friday” event to the next level. To complement the already vibrant activities happening downtown from 5-10 p.m. Friday evening, the Dayton Bizarre event will continue from 12-5 p.m. on Saturday as well. Specifically sectioned to the Oregon District, this new event promises to add a vibrant street-level party with the addition of street performers, artists and musicians roaming the streets. I’m excited to see how bizarre Dayton can get! Be sure to click the links for more information on First Friday events.

If you know you want to see live music, check out the rundown below.

THURSDAY
Motown Legend Smokey Robinson will be performing live at the Schuster Center at 7:30 p.m. What makes this performance extra cool are the very special guests he’s invited to play with him: Sheila Raye Charles (daughter of Ray Charles) and Uros Peric (called one of the best imitators of Ray Charles’ music) will be accompanied by The Stivers School for the Arts Jazz Orchestra. Still in high school, and able to hold their own with the best in the business. Very impressive! If you aren’t able to see this particular show, see them soon, before they are off playing jazz clubs in NYC! Get tickets for this event before they sell out – it’s happening today! Call Ticket Center Stage for current pricing and ticket availability.

FRIDAY
Dayton’s “riff-rock pimpstresses” Good English are back home for a show at Blind Bob’s, sharing the stage with Hotel War and Salvadore Ross. Good to have these wonderfully talented ladies back in Dayton! This is a straight up rock ‘n’ roll show. Fun, loud, wild, enjoy! Right down the street, rockabilly favorites Cherry Lee and the Hot Rod Hounds will be kickin it at Tumbleweed Connection. Either of these shows feature strong female rock stars. Love that!

Looking for a more mellow evening? Dayton favorite Puzzle of Light is playing 9 p.m. to midnight at Jay’s Seafood. Very talented folks in that group, and no cover charge! If none of these shows are striking the right chord, I’d suggest you go over to Oregon Express, which is hosting Buffalo Wabs & The Price Hill Hustle, Hocking River String Band and The Great Wide Open. These guys are folk/Americana, old-timey in a good way, and an all around a fun time for a variety of audiences. Any band who busts out an upright bass is rockin’ in my book! If you love bluegrass bands such as Yonder Mountain String Band, you’ll have a great night here. Even if you like more traditional country music, I think you will be very pleased by this line up!

Jimmy Cummings, the organizer of this event, explains how this all came together: “For years Sharon talked about wanting to put together another album but the timing was never right; it’s been 15 years since her last release. One day Paula Ashcraft from All Nighter Recording Studio contacted me and offered her services to help get the project off the ground. Together we came up with the idea of this Album Project fundraiser. Sharon has touched a lot of people with her music and this show is our way to show her our love and appreciation.”

The bands coming together offer a very listenable and eclectic mix of music, that is sure to please. There is no reason not to go to this show!

However, if this is a little too warm and fuzzy for your rock ‘n’ roll soul, Oddbody’s has you covered with 80’s hair metal favorites LA Guns. Rock on my friends! Thank you in advance for supporting live local music!

Your Dayton Music Insider,
Libby Ballengee

Note to Readers: This lineup is for April 2-4, 2015. Please click the links to find out detailed information about the bands, venues and events, including start times, directions and pricing. I try to link band names with samples of their music. I also attempt to post the headlining band first, followed by supporting acts. I may not always get that correct. Always check with the venue about start times and ticket availability. DoS = Day of Show. As you can see, I try to promote as many shows as possible, but there will be some I miss. Next time! Keep me in the loop… @LibbyBallengee on Twitter